Just recently ordered this and LOVE! Green Tea EGCG truly is one of the most fantastic skincare actives out there. Very difficult to find good quality product (90%) and even harder to actually solubilize it! Love that it comes in pre-dissolved solution. I enjoy adding it at 1% (so 11% sol) to my serum formulations containing Niacinamide 5% + NAG 3%. Excellent for oily acne prone skin.
*Only gripe... because the Pre-Dissolved Solution is SO heavy in propanediol (10 parts Propanediol for 1 part E.. ...»

Carla, Many medications can be and are applied topically by prescription. With that in mind, realize that this particular ingredient is wonderful but understand that this is indeed one of those that may create sensitivity with those already using topical hormones or just use sparingly and see how you respond. Sorry for the very late response..... ...»

I purposely waited a few months before writing my review. I am happy to report this product is great! I combined the DMAE product with the base creams resulting in tighter skin and lessened wrinkles, including areas around underarms... ...»

This ingredient has done more for my skin than anything else I've ever used.
I put it into a spray facial toner and use it morning and night. I noticed the effects immediately, they were that dramatic.
I will use this forever, no question... ...»

All customers PLEASE read:

Canadian Customers:

Any long delivery delays are caused by The Canada Border Services Agency.
I now ONLY offer EMS as a shipping option to Canada.
This appears to have resolved most of the delays caused by The Canada Border Services Agency.

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We take NO responsibility for delivery issues caused by customers entering the wrong address in the checkout page

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What we sell

We sell COSMETIC RAW MATERIALS, which are meant to be used at an appropriate percentage in a cosmetic formulation of your devising. Please do not order our products unless you know how to formulate creams and lotions with it!

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Gynostemma (Jiaogulan)

Gynostemma pentaphyllum / Jiaogulan is a plant native to Eastern Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, and recently it has come to the focus of many researchers due to its anti-cancer properties. The extract of this plant contains high amounts of flavonoids and gypenosides, noted for their antioxidant effects. In skin cells, this extract was shown to prevent UV-induced damage and cell death. Furthermore, it is able to reduce the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (enzymes responsible for collagen degradation), thus its applications are likely beneficial for skin collagen maintenance. It is also investigated as a promising drug against skin reddening and inflammation, observed in diseases like psoriasis.

NOTE: To assist you with solubility issues, we now also sell Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) as a liquid standardized pre-dissolved solution. Just add the liquid to your cream and mix well.

About Gynostemma / Jiaogulan in DIY Skin Care

Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also known as jiaogulan, is a plant from the cucumber family, growing naturally in China and other parts of East Asia. Although it has been used for centuries in Chinese traditional medicine, the actual components and mechanisms responsible for the medicinal activity of this plant are still being investigated. Recently, it has attracted more attention from the science community due to its potential in preventing various types of cancer [1].

Most research is focused on gypenosides – these molecules belong to a class of compounds called saponins, often found in plants. However, gypenosides found in Gynostemma can inhibit inflammation, prevent cardiovascular disease, protect from oxidative stress, and have other health benefits, thus contributing to the many medicinal properties of Gynostemma extract [2].

Among the best known properties of gypenosides is their antioxidant effect. Under oxidative damage, cell membranes tend to become less fluid, disrupting many processes in the cell. Gypenosides can reverse this change, effectively protecting the cells from injury and death [3]. In fact, they are known to prevent various types of oxidative damage, and even reduce the likelihood of DNA mutations [4]. Furthermore, Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract contains additional molecules with strong antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and even polysaccharides (sugars) that are able to neutralize free radicals [5], [6]. The polysaccharides found in Gynostemma are also promising for treatment of skin diseases, such as psoriasis – they reduce the production of inflammatory signals that lead to this disease [7].

Gypenosides have an additional effect on matrix metalloproteinase enzymes. These enzymes are known to degrade collagen – under UV exposure, for example, the levels of these enzymes increase, resulting in skin damage and aged appearance [8]. Gypenosides were shown to reduce the amounts of these metalloproteinases, thus preventing collagen degradation and even tumor cell migration [9].

The overall skin benefits of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract were confirmed in a study with mouse dermal cells. After UV exposure of 3 h, complete cell death was observed among these cells. However, application of Gynostemma extract at various concentrations up to 5 mg of material per mL resulted in strongly increased lifetime of the cells, most likely due to the neutralization of oxidative agents produced under UV [10].

Many cosmeceutical preparations suffer from poor absorption through skin. While dermal transport of gypenosides has not been investigated yet, a related molecule called ginsenoside has been studied well, and it was shown to be transported easily even at low concentrations [11]. Since the molecules of gypenosides have similar size and structure, it is reasonable to conclude that their absorption is equally effective. Furthermore, no adverse effect of Gynostemma extract has been observed, even at high doses [12].

NOTE: To assist you with solubility issues, we now also sell Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) as a liquid standardized pre-dissolved solution. Just add the liquid to your cream and mix well.

DISCLAIMER

All our products are powders, liquids, flakes or gels, used for making your own skin care products.

All our products are cosmetic / technical grade only.

We do NOT sell pharmaceuticals, prescription drugs or nutritional supplements.

Any statements about our products have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Our active skin care ingredients are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

SHIPPING

Canadian Customers:

Any long delivery delays are caused by The Canada Border Services Agency.
I now ONLY offer EMS as a shipping option to Canada.
This appears to have resolved most of the delays caused by The Canada Border Services Agency.

Please write your correct address:

We take NO responsibility for delivery issues caused by customers entering the wrong address in the checkout page